important

An unnamed FBI official has alleged there was a “quid pro quo” request from a State Department undersecretary to downgrade the classification of one Hillary Clinton email in exchange for allowing FBI agents into currently forbidden countries. State and the FBI deny the allegation. Donald Trump called it evidence of “corruption,” while wife Melania went to bat for him, saying that Billy Bush “egged on” her husband to make lewd remarks. Responding to the Donald’s assertion that next month’s election will be rigged, President Obama advised the billionaire to “stop whining” and to make his case now for votes.

On the Trail

“It’s early, and the enemy gets a vote here.” So said a Pentagon spokesman, who expressed cautious optimism about the Iraqi army’s “ahead of schedule” progress in their bid to retake the country’s second-largest city from ISIS control. Mosul’s the capital of the militants’ so-called “caliphate” in Iraq, and taking it back would be a huge symbolic step. Leaflets dropped by U.S. aircraft advised the city’s civilians not to run, but to shelter in place as best they can while ISIS soldiers dig in for a battle.

Making Gains

Was it one leak too many? Julian Assange has been sheltering in Ecuador’s London embassy since 2012, avoiding an extradition order to face sex crime charges in Sweden. But Wikileaks says that a “state party,” later identified as Ecuador, intentionally shut off his internet access Saturday after he released a new batch of hacked emails, including transcripts of Hillary Clinton’s speeches to Goldman Sachs. Despite Assange’s lost connection, Wikileaks posted more emails yesterday. Meanwhile, Ecuador refused to comment on “speculation circulating on Twitter” but reiterated its commitment to keeping Assange safe.

Power Outage

It’s time to diversify. Two years of plunging oil prices have hurt the prosperous kingdom’s finances, so it’s hosting its first ever international bond sale this week — part of a larger plan to keep oil from being its only source of income, even as OPEC wrangles the terms of a deal to cut production. Saudi Arabia hasn’t released price guidance for bonds yet, but it’s expected to be as much as $15 billion, which would be the biggest international debt issue the Middle East has ever seen.

Safe Bets

Know This: Chuck Berry announces first studio album in 38 years. Netflix stock jumped 20 percent after better-than-expected subscriber numbers were released. Right-wing extremism may be resurfacing in Canada. And Americans in the Philippines are getting jumpy as President Rodrigo Duterte steps up his anti-U.S. rhetoric.

If Found, Please Call: “If he doesn’t want to come, he won’t come. It will be a big party in any case,” said a Swedish Academy spokeswoman, explaining that Bob Dylan hasn’t yet returned their calls or emails about his Nobel Prize win.

Briefly

intriguing

Beware the party crashers. Nader’s role in swinging a few thousand Florida votes in the 2000 election altered his legacy from well-respected safety advocate who helped make sure cars have seatbelts to the man who got George W. Bush elected. And Texas billionaire Perot might have swung the 1992 race to Bill Clinton by peeling away angry conservatives. Their stories, explored tonight on OZY’s television series The Contenders: 16 For ’16 (8 p.m., PBS), are timely as this year’s unpopular major party candidates give third-party hopefuls steam.

Spoiler Alert

Incoming! Mexico’s seen the future of highway billboards — and it’s tiny drones hovering just a few feet over traffic jams. In an effort to boost business in Latin America, Uber’s dispatched an unprecedented drone fleet, one that doesn’t just advertise the ride-hailing service but also admonishes solo drivers for contributing to Mexico City’s air pollution by not carpooling. While Uber’s not the first company to advertise via drones, it may be the first to target drivers on the road — and to turn so many heads.

UAV Messages

Some places are too haunted. The house where Adolf Hitler was born has survived previous demolition attempts and has served as a library, a school, a bank and a home for disabled people. It’s been empty for five years while locals debated whether it should be preserved for historical reasons. But now the government says the building will be demolished to prevent neo-Nazis, on the rise in Europe, from using it as a gathering place. Parliament could approve the demolition as soon as this week.

Exorcism

They tossed him under the bus. The former Access Hollywood host parted ways with NBC’s Today after his vulgar 2005 bus discussion with Donald Trump was leaked. He was brought in just weeks ago to jazz up the 9 a.m. hour, but female staffers were particularly troubled by him encouraging the mogul’s talk of forcing himself on women. The nephew of former President George H.W. Bush was reportedly negotiating a $10 million settlement, and his attorney said Bush, 45, is now a “free agent” with no non-compete clause.

So Yesterday

Their winning streak extends to the courtroom. A Canadian indigenous rights activist tried to block Cleveland’s team name and Chief Wahoo logo — de-emphasized but still present on some team memorabilia — saying they’re racist and run counter to Ontario’s human rights code. The complaint was dismissed hours before the Indians dispatched the Blue Jays 4-2, despite losing starting pitcher Trevor Bauer to a bloody finger he sliced in a drone accident Friday. Cleveland, undefeated this postseason, can clinch a World Series berth today.